CARING FOR THE WOUNDED. Emergency services take care of wounded people outside the Maalbeek metro station in Brussels on March 22, 2016 after a blast at this station located near the EU institutions. Photo by Marija Ivoninaite/AFP

The statement vows “dark days ahead” for states fighting the jihadists

BEIRUT, Lebanon (Mar. 23, 2016) — The Islamic State (ISIS) group on Tuesday, March 22, officially claimed responsibility for the attacks in Brussels that left some 35 people dead and threatened further violence.

OBAMA ON BRUSSELS. US President Barack Obama addresses the people of Cuba at the El Gran Teatro de Havana, in Havana, Cuba, 22 March 2016. Photo by Jeffrey Arguedas/EPA

Obama: ‘We must be together regardless of nationality or race or faith in fighting against the scourge of terrorism’

HAVANA, Cuba (Mar. 23, 2016) — President Barack Obama condemned the “outrageous” attacks in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, that killed about 35 people, saying the United States would do everything in its power to hunt down those responsible.

POPE FRANCIS ON BRUSSELS. Pope Francis is silhouetted during a private audience of Pope Francis and Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa at the Vatican, March 21, 2016. Photo by Gabriel Bouys/EPA

Francis expresses his ‘deepest sympathy to the injured and their families, and all those who contribute to relief’

VATICAN CITY (Mar. 23, 2016) — Pope Francis on Tuesday, March 22, slammed the ‘blind violence’ of a series of coordinated explosions in Brussels that killed at least 26 people, offering his prayers for the victims.

IN SOLIDARITY. The Eiffel Tower is illuminated in the national colors of Belgium in tribute to the victims of the attacks in Belgium, in Paris, France, March 22, 2016. Ian Langsdon/EPA

Landmarks around the world were bathed in black, yellow, and red lights – colors of the Belgian flag – as a sign of solidarity with the victims of the Brussels attack

MANILA, Philippines (Mar. 23, 2016) — Landmarks around the world were bathed in black, yellow, and red lights – colors of the Belgian flag – as a sign of solidarity with the victims of the Brussels attack.

CRISIS MEETING. French president Francois Hollande (C) speaks with Prime Minister Manuel Valls (R) and minister of defence Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) after they held a crisis defense meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, March 22, 2016. Photo by Ian Langsdon/EPA

World leaders unite in condemning the carnage in Brussels and vowed to combat terrorism

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Mar. 23, 2016) — World leaders united Tuesday, March 22, in condemning the carnage in Brussels and vowed to combat terrorism, after Islamic State (ISIS) bombers killed around 35 people in a strike at the symbolic heart of the EU.

FRENCH POLICE. French police controls along the road from Paris to Lille, between Senlis and Compiegnes, France, March 22, 2016. Photo by Yoan Valat/EPA

France’s Bernard Cazeneuve also calls on Europe to ‘further boost coordination and the fight’ against terrorism

PARIS, France (Mar. 23, 2016) — Belgium’s neighbors France, Germany and the Netherlands tightened border security Tuesday, March 22, after the attacks on Brussels airport and metro system that left at least 26 dead.

BRUSSELS AIRPORT. Passengers and airport staff are evacuated from the terminal building after explosions at Brussels Airport in Zaventem near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. Photo by Laurent Dubrule/EPA

The fact that extremists are able to hit high-profile targets in Brussels just months after ISIS killed 130 people in Paris will raise fresh questions about the continent’s ability to cope with the terror threat

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Mar. 23, 2016) — A series of explosions claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS) group ripped through Brussels airport and a metro train on Tuesday, March 22, killing around 35 people in the latest attacks to bring bloody carnage to the heart of Europe.